That’s interesting! Probably at the very least they were using a long-duration vehicle’s autonomous or remote control capabilities, but the length of time it was gone makes me wonder if it took a really long trip somewhere.
This actually makes a lot of sense. With proper remote control and not having to worry about human habitability it is the wave of the future. All the “life support” stuff can be pitched (major poundage) and the thing can stay up there for a year.
Kinda hate to see our heroic Astronauts going the way of the Dinosaurs...but this actually does make sense.